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CN107873119B - Multi-level medium voltage power conversion device with alternating current output - Google Patents

Multi-level medium voltage power conversion device with alternating current output Download PDF

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Publication number
CN107873119B
CN107873119B CN201680025755.4A CN201680025755A CN107873119B CN 107873119 B CN107873119 B CN 107873119B CN 201680025755 A CN201680025755 A CN 201680025755A CN 107873119 B CN107873119 B CN 107873119B
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
converter
modular multilevel
output
conversion device
power conversion
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CN201680025755.4A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN107873119A (en
Inventor
J-P.拉维维尔
C.M.吴
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Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SAS
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Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SAS
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M7/00—Conversion of ac power input into dc power output; Conversion of dc power input into ac power output
    • H02M7/42—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal
    • H02M7/44—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters
    • H02M7/48—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
    • H02M7/483—Converters with outputs that each can have more than two voltages levels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M1/00—Details of apparatus for conversion
    • H02M1/08—Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M7/00—Conversion of ac power input into dc power output; Conversion of dc power input into ac power output
    • H02M7/42—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal
    • H02M7/44—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters
    • H02M7/48—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
    • H02M7/53—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal
    • H02M7/537—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only, e.g. single switched pulse inverters
    • H02M7/5387—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only, e.g. single switched pulse inverters in a bridge configuration
    • H02M7/53871—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only, e.g. single switched pulse inverters in a bridge configuration with automatic control of output voltage or current
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02P—CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS
    • H02P27/00—Arrangements or methods for the control of AC motors characterised by the kind of supply voltage
    • H02P27/04—Arrangements or methods for the control of AC motors characterised by the kind of supply voltage using variable-frequency supply voltage, e.g. inverter or converter supply voltage
    • H02P27/06—Arrangements or methods for the control of AC motors characterised by the kind of supply voltage using variable-frequency supply voltage, e.g. inverter or converter supply voltage using dc to ac converters or inverters
    • H02P27/08—Arrangements or methods for the control of AC motors characterised by the kind of supply voltage using variable-frequency supply voltage, e.g. inverter or converter supply voltage using dc to ac converters or inverters with pulse width modulation

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Inverter Devices (AREA)
  • Supply And Distribution Of Alternating Current (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular multilevel power conversion device with an AC output, comprising a modular multilevel DC/AC converter (21) with a plurality of arms (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) connected in parallel, the ends of which define input terminals (27, 28), each arm comprising a chain of modules of two modules (4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16) connected in series, each switching module having a pair of switches (T111, T211) connected in series of terminals arranged on an energy storage device (4.3), the DC/AC converter regulating the frequency at the output of the conversion device. The device further comprises a converter with a DC output (20) comprising two outputs (a, 22, 91, 92) connected to inputs (27, 28) of a DC/AC converter (21) with a DC output (20) regulating the amplitude at the output of the conversion device, the DC/AC converter (21) further comprising means (29) for controlling the switches (T111, T211) of the modules, which apply full-wave instructions to the switches for at least one time interval, the modules in a single chain of modules being in the same state at the same time.

Description

Multi-level medium voltage power conversion device with alternating current output
Technical Field
The present invention relates to the field of multilevel power conversion devices with AC output intended to operate at medium voltage. Such a converter may be used in high power variable speed drive applications of ac motors. One of the main markets for medium voltage variable speed drives is to replace the rotating machine running at fixed speed (i.e. 97% of market share) with a variable speed system by integrating the variable speed drive which will lead the same rotating machine.
Background
Multi-level DC/AC power converters are based on placing switching modules in series, the switching modules being formed by electronic switches, which are low voltage components with limited voltage withstand, in order to allow the high voltage at the output to rise.
Power converters of the NPC (standing for "neutral point clamped") type are known, comprising a series of modules having two pairs of electronic switches connected in series, the two diodes connected in series being connected on one side to a common node between the two electronic switches of the first pair and on the other side to a common node between the two electronic switches of the second pair. Furthermore, there are two capacitors connected in series to the terminals of the assembly formed by the pair of electronic switches. The common node between the two diodes in series is linked to the common node between the two capacitors in series.
This type of module leads to a satisfactory waveform and to a reduction of the voltage limit on the electronic switch. On the other hand, an imbalance of the voltage across the capacitor may be generated.
An improvement to the original topology of the NPC occurs by replacing the two diodes with a pair of electronic switches. This topology is referred to as ANPC with 3 voltage levels.
To further improve acceptable voltage levels, it has been proposed to place more electronic switches in series and add capacitors, leading to what is known as an ANPC topology with 5 voltage levels. ANPC 5 voltage level type batteries are currently limited to a voltage level of about 6.9kV, which is not necessarily sufficient.
As shown in fig. 1, a DC/AC modular multilevel converter (commonly referred to as MMC) is also known, comprising a plurality of arms 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, the ends of which define direct current end terminals 1p, 1n, disposed in parallel across the DC power supply terminals, each arm 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 being formed by two half-arms 1.11, 1.12, 1.21, 1.22, 1.31, 1.32, disposed in series and linked to a common terminal 3.1, 3.2, 3.3. These common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 define AC terminals to be linked to an AC load 70. The load 70 is represented as a motor. In the example, the DC/AC converter is three-phase, with each of the arms 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 corresponding to a phase, phase 1 corresponding to arm 1.1, phase 2 corresponding to arm 1.2 and phase 3 corresponding to arm 1.3. A single-phase converter has only two arms.
Each half-arm 1.11, 1.12, 1.21, 1.22, 1.31, 1.32 comprises a modular chain of serially arranged switching modules. It is linked to one of the common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 via inductors L11, L12, L21, L22, L31, L32 in order to comply with the connection rules of current and voltage sources. Preferably, the two inductors of the same arm have the same value in order to simplify the operation of the setup. The two inductors may be coupled. In the following description, a module chain linked to the positive DC terminal 1p will be referred to as a first module chain, and a module chain linked to the negative DC terminal 1n will be referred to as a second module chain. Each half arm has the same number of switch modules.
The switch modules of the arm 1.1 are labeled 4.11 to 4.16 in sequence from the terminal 1p to the terminal 1 n. The switch modules of the arm 1.2 are labeled 4.21 to 4.26 in sequence from the terminal 1p to the terminal 1 n. The switch modules of the arm 1.3 are labeled 4.31 to 4.36 in sequence from the terminal 1p to the terminal 1 n.
Each switch module comprises at least one pair of series arranged electronic switches having a common node 40, said pair of electronic switches being connected in parallel with an energy storage device 4.3 forming a half-bridge arrangement, the energy storage device 4.3 having a floating capacitance.
The electronic switches of the module 4.11 are marked T111, T211. The electronic switches of module 4.12 are labeled T112, T212. The numbering continues in the same way and, therefore, the electronic switches of module 4.16 are labeled T116, T216.
In the arm 1.2, the electronic switches of the module 4.21 are marked T121, T221. The electronic switches of the module 4.22 are labeled T122, T222. The electronic switches of module 4.26 are labeled T126, T226.
In arm 1.3, the electronic switches of module 4.31 are labeled T131, T231. The electronic switches of module 4.32 are labeled T132, T232. The electronic switches of module 4.36 are labeled T136, T236.
In each module, the energy storage device 4.3 has a terminal of positive polarity (+) through which the charging current intended to charge it (positive current) re-enters. The energy storage device 4.3 has a terminal of negative polarity (-) through which the discharge current (negative current) intended to discharge it enters again. One of the electronic switches, i.e. the electronic switch called T111 at the top of the switch module 4.11, is linked to the positive terminal (+) of the energy storage device 4.3. The other electronic switch (i.e. the electronic switch at the bottom of the switch module 4.11, called T211) is linked to the negative terminal (-) of the energy storage device 4.3.
A diode placed in anti-parallel with an electronic power switch T111 is labeled D111. The diode placed anti-parallel to the electronic power switch T211 is labeled D211.
The numbering of the electronic power switches and diodes of the other modules follows the same principle. They are not necessarily named in this specification but are referenced in some drawings. In the following description, the electronic switches T111, T112, T113, T114, T115, T116 linked to the positive terminal (+) of the energy storage device 4.3 are referred to as first electronic switches, and the electronic switches T211, T212, T213, T214, T215, T216 linked to the negative terminal (-) of the energy storage device 4.3 are referred to as second electronic switches. The term also applies to diodes.
In the same switch chain, all electronic power switches linked to terminals of the same polarity of the energy storage device are called homoswitches (homoswitches).
The modules of the half-arm are assigned a rank counted in ascending order from the most positive end (most positive end) of the half-arm. Modules with the same rank in both halves of the same arm are called homologous modules.
The electronic power switches T111, T211, etc. may be selected from, for example, IGBT insulated gate bipolar transistors, FET field effect transistors, MOSFET MOS transistors, GTO gate turn-off thyristors, IGCT integrated gate-commutated thyristors, etc.
The energy storage device 4.3 may for example be selected from a capacitor, a battery, a fuel cell or the like.
The same type of switch module as shown in fig. 1 is shown in fig. 2A to 2D.
Its first electronic switch is referred to as T1 and associated diode D1. Its second electronic power switch is referred to as T2 and associated diode D2. In these figures, the flow path of the current Iu inside such a switch module is visible as a function of the open or closed state of its electronic power switches T1, T2. The current Iu is alternately positive (fig. 2A, 2B) and negative (fig. 2C, 2D). The two electronic power switches T1, T2 in the same module are in opposite states (on or off) within the dead time value. The two electronic power switches T1, T2 of the switch module do not need to be switched on simultaneously, otherwise the energy storage device 4.3 would be short-circuited.
In fig. 2A, the first electronic power switch T1 is on and the second electronic power switch T2 is off. The current Iu, which is positive, enters the switch module 4 through the first electronic power switch T1 and exits there through the common node 40 between the two electronic power switches T1, T2 (emerge). It does not pass through the energy storage device 4.3.
In fig. 2B, the second electronic power switch T2 is on and the first electronic power switch T1 is off. The current Iu is positive and it enters the switch module 4 through the energy storage device 4.3, passes through the second diode D2 and exits (emerge) through the common node 40 between the two electronic power switches T1, T2. The current Iu charges the energy storage device 4.3.
In fig. 2C, the first electronic power switch T1 is on and the second electronic power switch T2 is off. The current Iu, which is negative, enters the switch module 4 through the common node 40 between the two electronic power switches T1, T2, passes through the first diode D1 and exits the switch module through the cathode of the first diode D1 (emerge). It does not pass through the energy storage device 4.3.
In fig. 2D, the second electronic power switch T2 is on and the first electronic power switch T1 is off. The current Iu, which is negative, enters the switch module through the common node 40 between the two electronic power switches T1, T2, passes through the second electronic power switch T2 and the energy storage device 4.3 and exits (emerge) the switch module, neither through the first electronic power switch T1 nor through the first diode D1. The energy storage device 4.3 is discharged.
In a conventional modular multilevel DC/AC converter as shown in fig. 1, the function of the chain of switching modules both changes the amplitude of the signal formed on the basis of the direct current power supply and present at the level of each common terminal 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and adjusts the frequency of this signal. The electronic power switches are controlled by pulse width modulation PWM.
By such control of the electronic power switches T1, T2, when the current Iu is positive, it is alternately passed from the case where the first electronic power switch T1 is turned on (fig. 2A) to the case where the second diode D2 is turned on (fig. 2B). Whenever the second diode D2 conducts, the inter-terminal voltage of the energy storage device 4.3 increases. When the current Iu is negative, it turns alternately from the case where the second electronic power switch T2 is turned on (fig. 2D) to the case where the first diode D1 is turned on (fig. 2C). Whenever the second electronic power switch T2 is switched on, the inter-terminal voltage of the energy storage device 4.3 decreases.
Referring again to fig. 1, and focusing on one of the arms, for example arm 1.1, there is a relationship between the control of the modules of its two arm halves.
Assuming that the setup is well balanced and the voltage provided by the dc power supply is equal to VDC, each energy storage device 4.3 is charged to VDC/3, since in the example shown the chain of switching modules comprises three switching modules on each half arm. When n modules are used, the voltage will be VDC/n. In the same arm, all electronic power switches linked to the same end (either positive or negative) of the energy storage device cannot be turned on simultaneously in order to comply with the voltage formula. In fact, at each instant, the sum of the inter-terminal voltage of one half-arm and the inter-terminal voltage of the other half-arm is equal to the voltage output by the direct current power supply.
In the half-arm, by this PWM control, the switching modules are activated in sequence, which means that the electronic power switches linked to the same end (either positive or negative) of the energy storage device are switched on or off in sequence. The alternating voltage resulting at the level of one of the common terminals 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3 tapped off comprises a number of levels equal to the number of modules in the half-arm plus one.
A modular multilevel converter using two chains of switching modules arranged in series, for example as shown in fig. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, in each arm is described for the first time in patent application DE 1010031 to Rainer Marquardt.
Patent application EP 2408081 also describes a multilevel converter using a chain of serially arranged switch modules.
Documents WO2014/133026a1 and EP2963801a1 also describe modular multilevel power conversion devices. There is also an article entitled "start-up and low speed operation of a variable speed motor driven by a modular multistage cascaded inverter" -ECCE, 2012-IEEE-15/09/2012, pages 718 and 725.
If these modular multilevel DC/AC converters are intended to provide an output signal at a very low frequency (less than about 10 hz) on the AC side, the speed of the AC motor can be regulated in particular, because within each switching module there are floating capacitive energy storage devices in which the current flowing changes direction (reverse direction) so slowly that these energy storage devices continue to charge until they reach their breakdown voltage and with the risk of being damaged. If it is necessary to over-design (over-dimension) these energy storage devices, the cost of the modular multilevel converter becomes prohibitive, since these energy storage devices are typically very expensive.
Furthermore, the size and cost of the energy storage devices included in these modular multilevel converters is inversely proportional to the frequency of the output signal. The lower the frequency, the larger the size and the higher the cost of the converter. This limits the application of a modular multilevel converter with many switching modules to the power supply of a variable speed AC motor.
Disclosure of Invention
It is an object of the invention, inter alia, to propose a modular multilevel power conversion device with an AC output, which can provide low frequency signals and which is not bulky and expensive.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular multilevel power conversion device for medium voltage applications using low voltage power components, with which higher efficiency can be obtained than with medium voltage components.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular multi-level power conversion device that does not require an over-designed floating capacitor energy storage device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a variable speed drive which uses the modular multilevel power conversion device thus characterized and which can operate at constant torque and low speed, particularly for ventilation, pumping, traction applications.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a variable speed drive having requirements in terms of reducing passive components such as power transformers or smoothing LC filters, which are bulky and expensive.
To achieve this, the present invention is a modular multi-level power conversion device having an AC output and an AC or DC input, comprising:
modular multilevel DC/AC converter having a plurality of arms arranged in parallel, the ends of the plurality of arms defining a DC input terminal, each arm comprising two chains of switch modules in series linked to a common terminal defining an AC output terminal of the modular multilevel power conversion device, each switch module comprising at least one pair of electronic power switches arranged in series, arranged on a side of an energy storage device, the electronic power switches linked to terminals of the same polarity of the energy storage device in the same chain of switch modules being called homologous switches, the modular multilevel DC/AC converter being designed to regulate the output frequency of the modular multilevel conversion device and also comprising control means for the electronic power switches to place them in a switched-on or switched-off state, characterized in that:
the control means is adapted to apply full-wave control to the electronic power switches during at least a portion of an operational time interval of the power conversion device, the switch modules in the same chain of switch modules then having their same source electronic power switches in the same state at the same time, and it further comprises:
a converter with a DC output and a DC or AC input comprising two output terminals linked to the DC input terminals of the modular multilevel converter, the converter with the DC output being designed to regulate the output amplitude of the power conversion device.
Each module includes a first power switch linked to the positive polarity terminal of the energy storage device and a second power switch linked to the negative polarity terminal of the energy storage device, and during full-wave control, current flows only in the switch module with the first power switch in an on state.
The control means applies PWM control to the electronic power switches during at least a second remaining time portion of the time interval, the PWM control being applied when the output current of the modular multi-level power conversion device is less than a threshold value, and the full-wave control being applied when the output current is greater than or equal to the threshold value.
During PWM control, the control means control the electronic power switches in the modules of the same module chain in turn.
In the module, each electronic power switch is connected in reverse parallel with a diode to form a current-wise bidirectional switching element.
The connection of the module chains of the same arm to the common terminal is realized by means of an inductor.
Each electronic power switch may be selected from an insulated gate bipolar transistor, a field effect transistor, a MOSFET transistor, a gate turn-off thyristor, an integrated gate commutated thyristor.
The energy storage device may be selected from a capacitor, a battery, a fuel cell.
The converter with DC output and DC input may be a modular multilevel DC/DC converter with a single arm, the ends of the arm defining two DC input terminals, comprising two half-arms in series with a common terminal, this common terminal defining one of the DC output terminals, one of the ends of the arm defining the other output terminal, each half-arm comprising a module chain of switch modules with at least one pair of electronic power switches arranged in series, the pair of electronic power switches being arranged between the energy storage device terminals, and control means for the electronic power switches of each module.
The control means for the electronic power switches of each module of the modular multilevel DC/DC converter may apply to the electronic power switches a full-wave control having a frequency greater than a frequency of the full-wave control of the control means for the electronic power switches of each module of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter.
The converter having a DC output and an AC input may be a switched controlled rectifier bridge.
As a variant, the converter with DC output and AC input may be a modular multilevel AC/DC converter.
The invention also relates to a variable speed drive comprising a modular multilevel power conversion device thus characterized.
When the modular multilevel power conversion device comprises a converter having a DC output and an AC input, the AC input is designed to be linked to an AC power source.
When the modular multilevel power conversion device comprises a converter having a DC input and a DC output, the variable speed drive may further comprise a converter having an AC input and a DC output, which is designed to be linked to an AC power source on the AC input side and to a converter having a DC input and a DC output on the DC output side.
The transformer is designed to be connected on one side to an AC power source and on the other side to an AC input of a converter having an AC input, and the DC output of the modular multilevel conversion device can be provided into a variable speed drive.
Drawings
The invention will be better understood from a reading of the description of an exemplary embodiment given purely as a purely non-limiting indication, while referring to the attached drawings, in which:
fig. 1 shows a conventional DC/AC modular multilevel converter;
2A, 2B, 2C, 2D show various paths of current in a switch module as a function of the state of its electronic power switches;
fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary modular multi-level power conversion device having a DC input and an AC output as the subject of the invention;
fig. 4A shows a sinusoidal command signal which, in case of full-wave control, will be used to determine the switching instants of the first and second power switches of the switching modules of the first, second and third arm of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter of fig. 3;
4B, 4C, 4D are timing diagrams illustrating the states of the electronic power switches of the switching modules located in each arm of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter of FIG. 3 according to the command signals of FIG. 4A;
fig. 4E shows the evolution of the simple voltages Va, Vb, Vc as a function of time, and fig. 4F shows the evolution of the composite voltage tapped between the two common terminals as a function of time;
5A1, 5A2 show a reference signal and a sawtooth carrier as a function of time used to determine the timing of full wave control and PWM control applied to an electronic power switch, the reference signal being a full sinusoidal function in FIG. 5A1 and a truncated sinusoidal curve at peak level in FIG. 5A2, FIG. 5B showing the evolution of simple voltages Va, Vb, Vc as a function of time;
fig. 6A shows the evolution of the DC voltage delivered by the DC power supply shown in fig. 3 over time, and fig. 6B shows the evolution of the DC voltage formed by the modular multilevel DC/DC converter shown in fig. 3 over time;
7A, 7B, 7C, 7D show the flow path of current in the modular multilevel DC/AC converter of FIG. 3 and the path of current flowing in the load provided by this converter during full-wave control;
figure 8 shows a variable speed drive comprising a modular multi-level power conversion device with a DC input and an AC output as subject of the invention;
fig. 9A illustrates another exemplary modular multi-level power conversion device having an AC input and an AC output as subject of the invention, and fig. 9B illustrates a variable speed drive as subject of the invention comprising another exemplary modular multi-level power conversion device having an AC input and an AC output;
fig. 10A shows a three-phase DC/AC converter with two switching modules per arm, and fig. 10B shows a time diagram of a simple voltage obtained between its AC output terminal R, S, T and midpoint O and a time diagram of a composite voltage between terminals R and D during full-wave control.
In the following description, identical, similar or equivalent parts of the various figures have the same reference numerals in order to facilitate the transition from one figure to another.
Detailed Description
With reference to fig. 3, focus is now on an exemplary modular multi-level power conversion device having an AC output and a DC input as the subject of the invention. This is a three-phase power conversion device.
It comprises a cascade of modular multilevel DC/DC converters (or choppers) 20 and modular multilevel DC/AC converters (or inverters) 21.
The multilevel DC/DC converter 20 comprises an arm 20.1, the ends 22, 23 of which form two DC input terminals intended to be linked, in use, to a DC power supply 24. Arm 20.1 comprises two half-arms 25 in series with a common terminal a. Each half-arm 25 comprises a chain of modules of switch modules 26 linked to a common terminal a via inductors L1, L2. These switching modules are similar to the switching modules of fig. 2A-2D in that a pair of down-current bidirectional switching elements are connected in series and a floating energy storage device is disposed in parallel with the pair of switching elements. We do not show each switch module 26 in detail and can see their structure with reference to fig. 2A-2D.
The modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 is similar to the converter described in fig. 1. Therefore, it will not be described in detail. All the arms 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 of the converter are linked in parallel and their ends define two DC terminals referenced 27, 28. The terminal 27 is (positively) linked to the common terminal a of the modular multilevel DC/DC converter 20 and the terminal 28 is (negatively) linked to one of the ends 22 of the arm 20.1, the end of which is intended for the negative terminal of the DC power supply 24. These are either the input terminals of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 or the output terminals of the modular multilevel DC/DC converter 20. It is assumed that all components of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 have the same reference numerals as in fig. 1. Each half-arm, and thus each module on the chain of modules, is linked to one of the DC input terminals 27 or 28.
In the present invention, the function of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 is to convert the DC voltage provided by the modular multilevel DC/DC converter 20 into an AC voltage and to adjust the frequency of the signal at the output, i.e. the signal present at the common terminal 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 on the AC side. These common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 are to be linked to a load, which in this example is represented as a motor 70 having three star-shaped arranged windings and thus having a common terminal 70.1. Each winding is arranged between the common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 of the two half-arms of the link arm and the common terminal 70.1 of the load 70. The amplitude of these signals is controlled by the modular multilevel DC/DC converter 20, as opposed to the prior art. There is decoupling (decoupling) between the frequency control function and the amplitude control function.
The modular multilevel power converter device with AC output as subject of the invention is characterized in that for each module of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 the control of its electronic power switches is such that the current flowing in the energy storage device 4.3 is limited to a maximum value regardless of its flow direction. This current is either a charging current (or a positive current) or a discharging current (or a negative current). The duration of the states represented in fig. 2B and 2D described earlier is therefore limited in order to prevent the energy storage device from charging or discharging too long.
In the configurations in fig. 2B, 2D, one does not seek or seeks as little time as possible, whereas in the configurations of fig. 2A, 2C, one seeks the most frequent and longest time.
Such a flow of current inside the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 is possible if the electronic power switches of each switching module are controlled with full-wave control.
A control arrangement for a single switch module 4.16, reference numeral 29, for the electronic power switches T116 and T216 of the switch module 4.16 is schematically shown in fig. 3. Of course, such control means are present for all electronic power switches of all modules of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21.
To facilitate understanding of the operation of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21, the operation of a three-phase conventional DC/AC converter controlled by full-wave control will be explained first with reference to fig. 10A. This is not a multilevel converter. It comprises three arms B1, B2, B3 linked in parallel by their end terminals (extreme terminal) across the terminals of a DC power supply, which delivers a voltage VDC and is represented by two capacitors C1, C2 in series with a midpoint O. Each arm is divided into two half-arms with common terminals and these common terminals form the AC output terminals of the converter, labelled R, S, T. Each half-arm includes only a forward bidirectional switching element with an electronic power switch and an anti-parallel diode. Arm B1 includes an electronic power switch T10, a diode D10, which are linked to the positive terminal (+) of the DC power supply, i.e., to a capacitor C1. Arm B1 also includes an electronic power switch T10', a diode D10', which are linked to the negative terminal (-) of the DC power supply, i.e., to capacitor C2. Arm B2 includes an electronic power switch T20, a diode D2, which are linked to the positive terminal (+) of the DC power supply, i.e., to a capacitor C1. Arm B2 also includes an electronic power switch T20', a diode D20', which are linked to the negative terminal (-) of the DC power supply, i.e., to capacitor C2. Arm B3 includes an electronic power switch T30, a diode D30, which are linked to the positive terminal (+) of the DC power supply, i.e., to a capacitor C1. Arm B3 also includes an electronic power switch T30', a diode D30', which are linked to the negative terminal (-) of the DC power supply, i.e., to capacitor C2.
With full-wave control, the voltage between the AC output terminal R, S or T and the midpoint O varies between + VDC/2 and-VDC/2 in the form shown in FIG. 10B. The electronic power switches of each module are in opposite states during the dead time (dead time) because they may not be in the on state at the same time or there is a risk of short-circuiting the power supply VDC. Each electronic power switch is on for half the time during a period of the output signal. The first three time diagrams represent simple voltages V respectivelyR0、VSO、VTOThe last time diagram represents the composite voltage U between the terminal R and the terminal SRS。
When the electronic power switch T10 is turned on, the voltage of the output terminal R becomes + VDC/2. If the current flowing along arm B1 is positive, it flows through electronic power switch T10. If the current flowing along arm B1 is negative, it flows through diode D10. When the electronic power switch T10' is turned on, the voltage of the output terminal R becomes-VDC/2. If the current flowing along arm B1 is positive, it flows through diode D10'. If the current flowing along arm B1 is negative, it flows through electronic power switch T10'.
For each of the arms 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, during the period of half of the cycle the inductors L11, L21, L31 are linked to the positive input terminal 27, while during the period of the other half of the cycle the inductors L12, L22, L32 are linked to the negative input terminal 28. Due to the presence of these inductors, the potential present at the positive input terminal 27 or the negative input terminal is not present at the common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3. The potential at these common terminals cannot be directly controlled.
In the DC/AC converter 21 shown in fig. 3, the control means 29 simultaneously turn on the first electronic power switches T111, T112, T113 in all the switching modules 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 of the first chain of modules in order to obtain a voltage + VDC at the common node 40 linked to one of the inductors L11, L21, L31. However, the first electronic power switches T114, T115, T116 in all switch modules 4.14, 4.15, 4.16 of the second module chain cannot be switched on. Otherwise, the arms are shorted.
To ensure that such a short circuit is not obtained, the control device 29 also switches on all the second electronic power switches T214, T215, T216 in all the switching modules 4.14, 4.15, 4.16 of the second chain of modules, this operation being synchronized with the control of the first electronic power switches T111, T112, T113 in the first chain of modules.
In order to obtain the voltage-VDC at the end terminal of the inductors L12, L22, L32 opposite to the terminal linked to the common terminal 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, the control device 29 simultaneously turns on the first electronic power switch T114, T115, T116 in all the switching modules 4.14, 4.15, 4.16 of the second chain of modules. However, the first electronic power switches T111, T112, T113 in all switch modules 4.1, 4.12, 4.13 of the first chain of modules may not be switched on, which is in an off-state, otherwise an arm short circuit may occur.
In order to ensure that such a short circuit is not obtained, the control device 29 also switches on all the second electronic power switches T211, T212, T213 in all the switching modules 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 of the first chain of modules, this operation being synchronized with the control of the first electronic power switches T114, T115, T116 in the second chain of modules.
In a module whose first electronic power switch is on, current will flow through the first electronic power switch if the current is regular (as shown in fig. 2A), and through the first diode if the current is negative (as shown in fig. 2C). Current no longer flows through the energy storage device. Current flows only in the switch module whose first power switch is on. Current does not flow through the switch module whose second power switch is on.
The first electronic power switch of one chain of switch modules and the first electronic power switch of another chain of switch modules are in complementary states during the dead time.
The second electronic power switch of one chain of switch modules and the second electronic power switch of another chain of switch modules are in complementary states during the dead time.
The electronic power switches of the same switch module are in complementary states during dead time.
In the switching module, when the second electronic power switch is switched on, the voltage of the energy storage device is present across the terminals of the first electronic power switch of the switching module.
In the present invention, the second electronic power switch is not involved in the generation of the output signal by full-wave control. But by turning them on and associating them with the energy storage device, they have the function of clipping the voltage applied to the terminals of the first electronic power switch that are then in the off state. They are actually present in the setup.
The energy storage device 4.3 then serves only as a signal clipper (signal clipper). The capacitance value of the energy storage device 4.3 can be reduced relative to that required for conventional PWM control.
In the present invention, within the framework of the application to loads of the three-phase asynchronous motor type, the frequency may be of the order of hertz or indeed up to about 10 hertz and the duty cycle is 0.5. The duty cycle corresponds to half the period of the desired signal at the output of the modular multilevel power conversion device having an AC output.
Shown in fig. 4A is a sinusoidal command signal which will be used to determine the switching instants of the first and second electronic power switches of the switching modules of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21, both of these modules being in the first module chain sine ① relates to the electronic power switches T111, T211 of the switching module 4.11 of arm 1.1, for example sine ② relates to the electronic power switches T121, T221 of the switching module 4.21 of arm 1.2, sine ③ relates to the electronic power switches T131, T231 of the switching module 4.31 of arm 1.3.
Shown in the timing diagrams of fig. 4B, 4C, 4D are the states of the first and second electronic power switches T111 and T211, T121 and T221, and T131 and T231, respectively, during full-wave control. The control for each arm is displaced by one third of the period. In state 1 they are on and in state 0 they are off. The switching of the electronic power switch is caused by a change in the sign of the associated command signal.
Shown in fig. 4E is the evolution of simple voltages, respectively referred to as Va, Vb, Vc, as a function of time. The simple voltages Va, Vb, Vc are the voltages between each of the common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and the virtual midpoint of the input DC power source (DC bus) of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21. This simple voltage has two edges (porches), one positive and the other negative. These edges have an offset (offset) on top of them, because the potential at the common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 cannot be directly controlled.
In fig. 4F is shown the evolution of the composite voltage tapped between the two common terminals as a function of time. Voltage Vab exists between terminals 3.1 and 3.2, voltage Vbc exists between terminals 3.2 and 3.3, and voltage Vca exists between terminals 3.3 and 3.1. The composite voltage has three edges of a zero, a positive, and a negative.
Finally, the composite voltage always has three levels, no matter how many switch modules are placed in series in the half-arm. The control provided by the control means 29 is simple, since all switch modules of the same half arm are controlled synchronously in the same way. Their first electronic power switches are simultaneously in the same state. Their second electronic power switches are simultaneously in the same state, which is opposite to the state of the first electronic power switch. Modules in the same arm, but belonging to different arm halves, are controlled synchronously in the opposite way. On the other hand, the shape of the output signal is far from the sinusoidal curve of the waveform required by a power supply that is always an AC load.
By this full-wave control, for each arm, the states of the first and second electronic power switches of all modules of one of its half-arms are intentionally controlled synchronously in such a way that the current flowing in each module of that half-arm does not flow through the energy storage device 4.3, according to the sign of the command voltage. The requirements in terms of capacitance and voltage ripple on the terminals of the energy storage device are greatly reduced. The energy storage device 4.3 has the function of cutting (clip) the overvoltage that occurs during unsynchronized switching of the first and second electronic power switches of the module, i.e. during idling.
The size of the energy storage device is obtained from the conventional formula I-CdU/dt, where C is the capacitance of the energy storage device of the switching module of the DC/AC converter, I is the current flowing through it, and U is the voltage between its terminals. The flow time of the current in the energy storage device is limited to a maximum value.
With full-wave control, there is now little to no energy storage device and the capacitance is 20 times smaller than with conventional PWM control to control the electronic power switch.
To improve the waveform of the signal at the output of the power conversion device having an AC output of the inventive subject matter, and to reduce harmonics, instead of maintaining pure full-wave control throughout the time interval of operation of the power conversion device, it is also appropriate to use full-wave hybrid control in conjunction with PWM control.
During the run time interval of the power conversion device, when the amplitude of the AC current in the load 70 is low, less than a threshold value, PWM control will be used. Full-wave control will be used when the magnitude of the AC current in the load 70 is high, greater than or equal to a threshold value. During PWM control, the modules of the half-arm are controlled in sequence rather than simultaneously. Such an AC current flowing in the load is also referred to as the output current of the modular multilevel power conversion device which is the subject of the present invention.
This PWM control transmitted by the control means 29 amounts to allowing a current to flow through the second diode in the switching module of the first half-arm and thus through the energy storage device 4.3 of the module of the first half-arm when the current in the load 70 is positive and its magnitude is smaller than the threshold value. This PWM control amounts to allowing current to flow through the second electronic power switch in the switching module of the second half-arm when the current in the load 70 is negative and its magnitude is less than the threshold, thereby allowing current to flow through the energy storage device of the module of the second half-arm.
By using this hybrid control the increase of the voltage between the terminals of the energy storage device 4.3 of the module is limited and reasonable. The value given to the energy storage device 4.3 is much less than would be required if conventional PWM control were permanently used.
In practice, the size of the energy storage device with conventional PWM control is based on the frequency of the output signal for the time parameter (dt) and the current (I) charging the energy storage device. The capacitance imparted to the energy storage device corresponds to the case where the current is at a maximum and the frequency is at a minimum. In the present invention, because the current in the load 70 has a finite magnitude less than the threshold, the current in the energy storage device is not very high.
Full-wave hybrid control associated with PWM control may be achieved by comparing a sinusoidal or truncated sinusoidal reference signal, referred to as the modulation signal (modulated), with a sawtooth signal, referred to as the carrier wave.
Reference may be made to fig. 5a1 and 5a 2. In fig. 5a1, the reference signal is a full sinusoid, and in fig. 5a2, the reference signal is a sinusoid truncated at the peak level. The frequency of the reference signal is the frequency of the desired signal at the output and has an amplitude which is greater than the amplitude of the sawtooth signal if the sinusoid is complete and equal to the amplitude of the sawtooth signal if the sinusoid is truncated. The frequency of the sawtooth signal is the switching frequency of the electronic power switch. It is a higher frequency than the frequency of the reference signal, which may be 103On the order of hertz and even higher.
In the conventional PWM control, the amplitude of the reference signal is always lower than the amplitude of the carrier.
The PWM control is used as long as the amplitude of the reference signal is lower than the amplitude of the carrier and the voltages Va, Vb, Vc present at the common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 follow the shape of the reference signal rather strictly. For example, in the arm 1.1, during the time interval corresponding to the opening of the first electronic power switches T111, T112, T113, T114, T115, T116, the current inside the switching modules 4.11 to 4.16 flows through the energy storage device 4.3 and, depending on whether the current is negative or positive, through the second electronic power switches T211, T212, T213, T214, T215, T216 or the second diodes D211, D212, D213, D214, D215, D216. The control of the electronic power switches of the various modules of the half-arm is sequential. The control of the electronic power switches of the two homologous modules belonging to the two half-arms of the same arm is synchronized.
Full-wave control is used once the amplitude of the reference signal becomes equal to or greater than the amplitude of the carrier wave, and the voltages Va, Vb, Vc existing at the levels of the common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 deviate from the shape of the reference signal and have a shape equivalent to the shape in the vicinity of the peak shown in fig. 4E. Once the amplitude of the reference signal reaches the amplitude of the carrier, this means that the current in the load reaches the threshold value. For example, in the arm 1.1, as long as the first electronic power switches T111, T112, T113 or T114, T115, T116 of the switch modules 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 or 4.14, 4.15, 4.16 in the same half-arm remain on, the current inside the switch modules 4.11 to 4.16 does not flow through the energy storage device 4.3.
Shown in fig. 5B as a function of time is the evolution of a simple voltage between each common terminal 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and the common terminal 70.1 of the load 70, referred to as Va, Vb, Vc, respectively. The proportions differ between fig. 5a1, 5a2, and 5B.
With such full-wave hybrid control associated with PWM control, by adjusting the amplitude of the reference signal and the carrier, a compromise can be found such that the voltage across the terminals of the energy storage device can be limited while obtaining a voltage at the level of the common terminals 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, the frequency of which is controllable and which is closer to the desired sinusoidal curve.
As regards the modular multilevel DC/DC converter 20, its arm 20.1 may be formed by the same switching module 26 as the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21.
Like the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21, the switching module 26 of the modular multilevel DC/DC converter 20 is also controlled with full-wave control. Shown schematically in fig. 3 with reference numeral 30 and for a single switch module 26 is the control of its electronic power switches.
The frequency of this full-wave control, on the other hand, will be higher than the frequency of the full-wave control used in the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21, which may be on the order of hundred hertz, with a duty cycle α between 0.1 and 0.9, a duty cycle α corresponding to the ratio between the on-time and the off-period of the first electronic power switch, between the input voltage Ve and the output voltage Vs of the modular multilevel DC/DC converter 20, there is a relationship Vs α Ve, the value of the control duty cycle α may adjust the amplitude of the DC output voltage Vs.
Fig. 6A shows the evolution of the DC voltage provided by the DC power supply 24 over time, and fig. 6B shows the change over time of the DC output voltage present between terminals 27 and 28 corresponding to the output terminals of the multilevel DC/DC converter 20 for a given value of duty cycle α.
The module 26 of the modular multilevel DC/DC converter 20 can of course be controlled by PWM control, wherein the reference signal is constant and the carrier wave is a sawtooth signal.
Attention will now be directed to fig. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, which show the paths of the currents in the three-phase modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 and the three-phase load 70 in a variant of full-wave control. Each phase of the load is linked to a common terminal 3.1, 3.2, 3.3.
In fig. 7A, the input charging current Idc is substantially evenly distributed in the first half-arm 1.11 of phase 1 and the first half-arm 1.31 of phase 3, it flows through the load 70 and returns to the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 through the second half-arm 1.22 of phase 2. In fig. 7B, the charging current Idc flows completely through the first half-arm 1.11 of phase 1, it flows through the load 70 and returns to the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 through the second half-arm 1.22 of phase 2 and the second half-arm 1.32 of phase 3, while the current is substantially evenly distributed in each of them. In fig. 7C, the charging current Idc is substantially evenly distributed in the first half-arm 1.11 of phase 1 and the first half-arm 1.21 of phase 2, the current flows through the load 70 and returns to the modular multilevel DC/AC converter through the second half-arm 1.32 of phase 3. In fig. 7D, the charging current Idc is fully into the first half-arm 1.21 of phase 2, the current flows through the load 70 and returns to the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 through the second half-arm 1.12 of phase 1 and the second half-arm 2.32 of phase 3, while the current is substantially evenly distributed in each of them. These graphs correspond to the positive charging current Idc.
Due to the presence of inductors L11, L12, L21, L22, L31, L32, when the modules of the half-arm (e.g. at the top) stop being controlled, and the modules of the half-arm (e.g. at the bottom) become controlled, current takes a certain time to flow from the top half-arm to the bottom half-arm. But considering the time scale (time scale) the output current can be considered constant and the transitions that occur are negligible. It is during this transition that current will flow into the energy storage device.
Reference is now made to fig. 8, which schematically shows a variable speed drive as subject of the invention. The variable speed drive comprises a modular multilevel power conversion device 82 having an AC output and a DC input as subject of the invention.
The variable speed drive comprises a cascaded three-phase AC power supply 80, an AC/DC converter 81, and a modular multilevel DC/AC power conversion device 82 which is the subject of the present invention. The load 70 is intended to be linked to the output of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21. As a function of the harmonic performance of the DC/AC power conversion device that is the subject of the present invention, it may no longer be necessary to use the smoothing filters required when employing multilevel DC/AC converters that were limited to five voltage levels in the prior art (e.g., NPC or ANPC converters). The full-wave mixing control associated with the PWM control makes it possible to reduce harmonics relative to the full-wave control. More voltage levels are available at the output of the modular multi-level DC/AC power conversion device 82 than with a variation of full-wave control. The three-phase AC power source 80 is an AC network.
In prior art variable speed drives using a modular multilevel DC/AC converter like the one shown in fig. 1, there is also one AC/DC converter between the three-phase AC power source and the modular multilevel DC/AC converter. It is necessary to provide an LC filter placed between the modular multilevel DC/AC converter and the AC/DC converter for filtering the current and voltage. It is also possible to provide a current smoothing LC filter connected (wire up) between the three-phase AC power source and the AC/DC converter and to provide a voltage smoothing LC filter between the modular multilevel DC/AC converter and the load.
In a variable speed drive using the modular DC/AC power conversion device 82 of the present invention, a transformer is not mandatory. If used, it will be connected between the three-phase AC power supply 80 and the AC/DC converter 81. Indicated by reference numeral 84 and optionally in dashed lines. It is used to adjust (adapt) the voltage level of the AC power supply 80 in medium voltage variable speed drive applications to between, for example, 2.3kV and 15 kV.
The transformer is typically a bulky and expensive component. It may be omitted by a chain of modules in series so that the voltage level of the three phase AC power supply can be directly supported.
Fig. 9A now shows another non-limiting example of a modular multi-level AC/AC power conversion device that is the subject of the present invention. In this example, the modular multilevel AC/AC power conversion device is three-phase. Of course, it may also be single-phase. The modular multilevel AC/AC power conversion device may be applied to a variable speed drive. It comprises a modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21 as shown in fig. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, but no DC/DC modular multilevel converter. An alternative DC/DC modular multilevel converter has an AC/DC converter 90 linked to the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21. The AC/DC converter 90 is intended to be linked on one side to the AC power source 80. On the other side, it is linked to two DC terminals 27, 28 defined by the ends of the arms of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21.
The AC/DC converter 90 may be a controlled-switching bridge type of AC/DC converter 90. It comprises three arms 90.1, 90.2, 90.3 arranged in parallel, whose ends 91, 92 define two DC terminals linked to the DC terminals 27, 28 of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21. Each arm 90.1, 90.2, 90.3 comprises two basic semiconductor breakers 9.11, 9.12, 9.21, 9.22, 9.31, 9.32 in series with a common node a1, a2, A3, each of these common nodes a1, a2, A3 defining an AC input terminal (or AC input) intended to be linked to an AC power source 80.
In fig. 9A, the basic breakers 9.11, 9.12, 9.21, 9.22, 9.31, 9.32 have been represented as thyristors, but this is only a non-limiting example. Of course, other types of controllable semiconductor breakers can be used instead.
In another embodiment shown in fig. 9B, the AC/DC converter 90 has been replaced by a modular multilevel AC/DC converter having modules similar to the modules 41 of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter shown in fig. 1, which then has several parallel arranged arms 95.1, 95.2, 95.3, the ends of which define DC terminals 97, 98. These DC terminals are linked to and thus incorporated with the DC terminals 27, 28 of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter 21. Each arm 95.1, 95.2, 95.3 comprises two chains 96.11, 96.12, 96.21, 96.22, 96.31, 96.32 of switch modules 41 arranged in series with a common terminal 93.1, 93.2, 93.3. The connection to these common terminals is made through inductors. These common terminals 93.1, 93.2, 93.3 define AC terminals to be linked to the AC power source 80. Each switch module 41 is the same as that shown in fig. 2A-2D. In fig. 9B, a transformer 84 has also been proposed, which is designed to be linked to the AC power source 80 on one side and to the AC input of a converter 90 of the modular multilevel power conversion device having an AC input and a DC output on the other side. The transformer 84 is optional.
In these embodiments, the AC/DC converter is used to adjust the amplitude of the signal produced by the DC/AC modular multilevel converter.
Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. A modular multilevel power conversion device having an AC output and an AC or DC input, comprising:
modular multilevel DC/AC converter (21) having a plurality of arms (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) arranged in parallel, the ends of which define DC input terminals (27, 28), each arm comprising two module chains of series-connected switching modules (4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16) linked to a common terminal (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) which defines an AC output terminal of the modular multilevel power conversion device, each switching module (4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16) comprising at least one pair of electronic power switches (T111, T211) arranged in series, arranged on a terminal of an energy storage device (4.3), the electronic power switches (T111, T112, T113) in the same module chain linked to terminals of the same polarity of the energy storage device (4.3) being called homosource switches, the modular multilevel DC/AC converter (21) being designed to regulate the frequency of the multilevel DC output device, and is
Also comprising control means (29) for the electronic power switches to place them in an on or off state,
characterized in that the control means (29) are adapted to apply full-wave control to the electronic power switches during at least a part of the time interval of operation of the power conversion device, the switch modules (4.11, 4.12, 4.13) of the same module chain having the same source electronic power switches (T111, T112, T113) in the same state at the same time, and the modular multilevel power conversion device further comprises a converter (20) having a DC output and a DC or AC input comprising two output terminals (a, 22) linked to the DC input terminals (27, 28) of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter (21), the converter having a DC output being designed to adjust the output amplitude of the power conversion device.
2. The modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein each switch module (4.11, 4.12, 4.13) comprises a first power switch (T111, T112, T113) linked to the positive polarity terminal of the energy storage device (4.3) and a second power switch (T211, T212, T213) linked to the negative polarity terminal of the energy storage device (4.3), wherein during full-wave control current flows only in the switch module with the first power switch in the on-state.
3. Modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means (29) apply a PWM control to the electronic power switches (T111, T211, T112, T212, T113, T213) during at least one other remaining part of the time interval, the PWM control being applied when the output current of the modular multilevel power conversion device is smaller than a threshold value and the full-wave control being applied when the output current is larger than or equal to the threshold value.
4. Modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 3, wherein the control means (29) control the electronic power switches of the modules in the same module chain in sequence during the PWM control.
5. Modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each electronic power switch (T111) is connected in anti-parallel with a diode (D111).
6. Modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each electronic power switch (T111, T211) is selected from an insulated gate bipolar transistor, a field effect transistor, a MOSFET transistor, a gate turn-off thyristor, an integrated gate commutated thyristor.
7. Modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy storage device (4.3) is selected from a capacitor, a battery, a fuel cell.
8. Modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection of the module chains of the same arm to the common terminal (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) is realized via inductors (L11, L12, L21, L22, L31, L32).
9. Modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the converter (20) with DC output and DC input is a modular multilevel DC/DC converter with a single arm (20.1), the ends of which define two DC input terminals, comprising two half-arms (25) in series with a common terminal (a) defining one of the DC output terminals, one of the ends defining the other output terminal (22), each half-arm comprising a module chain (26) of switching modules with at least one pair of electronic power switches arranged in series, the pair of electronic power switches being arranged across the energy storage device, and control means (30) for the electronic power switches in each module.
10. Modular multilevel power converter device according to claim 9, wherein the control means (30) for the electronic power switches in each module (26) of the modular multilevel DC/DC converter (20) applies a full wave control to the electronic power switches, the full wave control having a frequency larger than the frequency of the full wave control for the control means (29) for the electronic power switches in each module (411, 4.12, 4.13) of the modular multilevel DC/AC converter (21).
11. Modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the converter (90) having a DC output and an AC input is a switched controlled rectifier bridge.
12. Modular multilevel power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the converter (90) having a DC output and an AC input is a modular multilevel AC/DC converter.
13. A variable speed drive comprising a modular multi-level power conversion apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. Variable speed drive according to claim 13, wherein the modular multilevel power conversion device comprises a converter (90) having a DC output and an AC input (a1, a2, A3) designed to be linked to an AC power source (80).
15. Variable speed drive according to claim 13, wherein the modular multilevel power converter device comprises a converter (20) having a DC input and a DC output, the variable speed drive further comprising a converter (81) having an AC input and a DC output, designed to be connected to an AC power source (80) at the AC input side and to be connected to the converter (20) having a DC input and a DC output at the DC output side.
16. Variable speed drive according to claim 15, further comprising a transformer (84) designed to be linked on one side to an AC power source (80) and on the other side to an AC input of a converter (90) of the modular multilevel power conversion device having an AC input and a DC output.
CN201680025755.4A 2015-05-11 2016-04-15 Multi-level medium voltage power conversion device with alternating current output Active CN107873119B (en)

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FR1554177A FR3036237B1 (en) 2015-05-11 2015-05-11 MULTINIVEAL MEDIUM VOLTAGE POWER CONVERTING DEVICE WITH ALTERNATIVE OUTPUT
PCT/EP2016/058391 WO2016180599A1 (en) 2015-05-11 2016-04-15 Multi-level medium-voltage power converter device having an ac output

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